Be Your Own Best Coach – Be Mindful

It’s time for exercise…

I find myself asking others what to do, how to do it, and when to do it before asking myself some basic questions. Where am I, what am I doing, and how am I feeling? Answering these questions requires a level of introspection and mindfulness, which isn’t easy. What is mindfulness? Simply taking notice of things and then feeling the response. For example, breathing occurs all day without a second of conscious thought. Make it a conscious thought. Focus on breathing, breathing in deep, through the nose, expanding the lungs, holding it in before exhaling and exhaling through the nose. Now it becomes mindful breathing, requiring awareness and a feeling of the experience.

The same mindfulness enhances learning from advanced math concepts to proper hip hinging. Why go to class if you’re not prepared to take notes, listen, question new concepts, and focus? The same goes for physical activity. Don’t just go through the motions, be mindful through the motions. This isn’t something that happens overnight. One rep can be mindful and the next mindless. When drifting take notice, pause, and become aware for the next rep. The gym is full of stimulus, self consciousness, and ego, all hurdles for being mindful. Be patient and persistent. Once mindful, the skilled guidance and cues take on a whole new level of meaning. Now it’s time to ask what to do, how to do it, and when to do it.